Today we would like to spotlight another one of our Guardian Angels. Dawn has been a part of ACF for many years and has been a huge blessing to our ministry! Here’s her testimony in her own words.
In 2011 I was listening to WDLM Moody radio when Tim Oloffson, Director of Another Child Foundation was broadcasting live from a Shoes for Orphan Souls shoe drive at Harvest Bible Chapel in Davenport IA. I had no idea who Tim was or what ACF did. Tim announced he was giving away a mission trip to put shoes on the feet of orphans in Romania. God had been nudging me to look into a short term mission trip for some time, but I had ignored Him. So, I prayed to God as I put my name in, saying, if this is Your will, let my name be drawn. And I forgot about it. Then I got the call that my name was drawn. And I KNEW WITHOUT A DOUBT IT WAS GOD’S WILL for me to go on this mission trip! In October 2011 I had the privilege of putting new shoes on the feet of orphans and at-risk Roma kids in Romania. Two more mission trips would follow in 2013 and then in 2017 as leader.
I knew the end of that first mission trip was just the beginning. When I returned I promptly sponsored Gabi from the Buckner group home. Now I sponsor Damaris, a very sweet 6 year old girl. It is an enormous blessing to be a sponsor. Even cooler was getting to meet each of them. Since Gabi grew out of the ACF programs, I have continued to keep in touch with her. I see the huge impact ACF and its supporters had on her life. Her life was literally saved.
I’ve told my friends and family and church family about the tremendous need and about the great work ACF is doing there, and quite a few now sponsor children and a few have also served on mission teams. I’ve volunteered my time writing fund raising correspondence, I served on the communications team, I organized a Do Something Beautiful painting event here in Moline IL, and organized Project Respond drives at my church. All of the time I’ve invested in volunteering has blessed me, stretched me, and increased my faith as I see God’s plans unfold through ACF.
The richest experiences that I have had with ACF boil down to relationships. Relationships with the Point of Hope and Buckner staff, the volunteers and employees of ACF and the kids!
See I don’t have the gifting to do what God has asked me to do through ACF and I’ve stepped out beyond my comfort zone more than once. It was too easy for so long to believe the enemy that I had nothing to give that was worth anything. But God says differently. I heard this truth again today from 2 Corinthians 12:9 which says ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’
Our weaknesses are gifts from God. If I am obedient and step out in spite of my fear and insecurity, God takes over and it gets done in his strength and He gets the glory that only He deserves!
